CHESHIRE has made a giant leap towards being declared a foot and mouth-free zone with more than 90% of its public footpaths opening in time for the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) gave the green light to the plan yesterday and by Saturday the county council will reopen the vast majority of Cheshire's footpath network.

The rights of way remaining closed fall into the 3km exclusion zone surrounding confirmed outbreaks of foot and mouth disease.

Some of these include areas on the outskirts of the county, including the rural area between Frodsham and Northwich.

When all of the paths are open, MAFF can begin to think about lifting restrictions on farmers.

There is still a licencing scheme in place for the movement of cattle and farmers who have had an outbreak on their farms still have to adhere to strict rules.

The eradication of the restrictions on almost all the county's 6,000 country walkways comes because the battle against the foot and mouth plague appears to be reaching a successful conclusion.

There have been no confirmed outbreaks in Cheshire since April 10.

A spokesperson for MAFF said: 'It is a big step towards being officially foot and mouth free. However the recent spate of cases of foot and mouth in Yorkshire proves what can happen if authorities let their guard down.'

Walkers are still asked to keep to a code of practiCe. Dogs should be kept on a short lead and not be let loose in fields within 10km of a foot and mouth outbreak.

Dave Kitching, the county's countryside management officer, said: 'I would like to take this opportunity to thank both path users and landowners for their help and cooperation at this time.'

Landowners and walkers can ring a special hotline telephone number which will be manned throughout the weekend between 9am-5pm. Contact 01606 301481.

The latest information will also be displayed on the web page at www.cheshire.gov.uk

Although the foot and mouth disease appears to be on the way out, there are some National Gardens Scheme gardens staying closed.

They include The Stray at Neston, planned to be open this Sunday, Manley Knoll, Manley (Sunday, June 3) and Greenhills Farm, Lower Whitley (Sunday, June 17).

More than #4,300 is being sent by Chester Racecourse to charities assisting farmers who have been affected by the foot and mouth disease crisis.

The money is made up of a collection taken among racegoers on Chester Cup day during the May Festival on The Roodee and a donation from the racecourse.

Racecourses chief executive Richard Thomas said: 'Racing and the farming community are inexorably linked, so we feel the deepest sympathy for those affected by the foot and mouth disease.

'Farmers have been greatly supportive of the racecourse during this period, and I am delighted that racegoers at the May Festival dug deep into their pockets to help them and the racecourse has added its own donation.'